Without HireHelm
Changeover days are chaos — one boat returns late and the next family is already waiting
Handover briefings take 90 minutes because you cover everything verbally
Pump-out and gas refill schedules are tracked on a whiteboard that nobody updates
Customers dispute damage they didn't cause because there's no photographic record
Booking enquiries come by phone, email, and web form with no central system
With HireHelm
Weekly & Multi-Day Booking
Manage Saturday-to-Saturday hires, short breaks, and day trips with flexible changeover day configuration.
Handover Checklists
Digital departure and return checklists ensure every boat is properly briefed, equipped, and inspected.
Fleet & Engine Tracking
Track engine hours, pump-outs, gas refills, and hull blacking schedules across your entire fleet.
Staged Payments
Collect deposits at booking, balances before departure, and damage deposits — all automated via Stripe.
See HireHelm in Action
Departure Checklist
NB Kingfisher · Henderson Family · Sat 12 Jul
Everything included
Everything You Need to Run Your Canal Boat Fleet
Every feature is included with your HireHelm plan. No add-ons, no hidden costs.
Changeover Day Management
Configure changeover days per boat. The system blocks bookings that would conflict and manages turnaround windows automatically.
Pre-Departure Briefing Pack
Send customers a digital briefing pack before arrival — lock operation, bridge heights, mooring guidance, and route suggestions.
Departure & Return Inspections
Photographic condition reports at handover and return. Timestamped evidence for any damage disputes.
Pump-Out & Gas Tracking
Log pump-out dates and gas bottle changes per boat. Set reminders so boats are always ready for the next hire.
Route Planning Resources
Share suggested routes, stopping points, and pub recommendations as part of the booking confirmation. Adds value without extra effort.
Seasonal Pricing Rules
Set peak, shoulder, and off-peak rates automatically. School holiday pricing, bank holiday premiums, and early-bird discounts.
Keep exploring
More from HireHelm
Dive into the UK software guides, the full feature set, or another craft type.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does HireHelm handle both day-boat and week-long canal hire?+
Yes. Run hourly and day-boat hire alongside weekly holiday lets on the same fleet, each with its own pricing, duration and turnaround rules. The calendar keeps day hires and week-long bookings from ever colliding.
Can I include lock briefings and handover instructions?+
You can attach a digital handover checklist and pre-arrival pack to every booking — lock technique, route notes, mooring guidance and safety briefing — sent automatically before the customer arrives, and signed off at collection.
Does it support route and itinerary planning for guests?+
HireHelm sends each guest a branded pre-trip pack with directions to the base, a suggested cruising route and onboard guides, so first-time canal boaters arrive prepared and your handover takes minutes, not hours.
How does it prevent double bookings across phone, email and web?+
Every booking source — your website, phone and email — feeds one central calendar with live availability, so a boat can't be sold twice. Staff at any base see the same up-to-the-minute picture.
Can I take deposits, balances and security bonds?+
Yes. Collect a deposit at booking, auto-collect the balance before the trip and hold a refundable bond. Damage and bond returns are recorded against the booking and refunded from the dashboard.
Why choose HireHelm over Holray or a generic system?+
HireHelm covers day-hire and small craft as well as holiday boats, runs on a modern mobile-first platform, and adds verified reviews from real paid hires plus integrated payments — a combination legacy holiday-fleet tools and generic booking apps don't offer.